Member News

Research Updates

New reporter system to study bone-regenerative medicine generated by research at the University of Minnesota's Stem Cell Institute and Masonic Cancer Center

A new reporter system used to study the bone regeneration potential of human embryonic stem cells has been generated in research led by the University of Minnesota. The new reporter system is the first of its kind for human pluripotent stem cells and is important for identifying certain agents and pathways that mediate early stages of human bone development. The research is published February 10, 2015, in the journal Stem Cell Reports. Read more.

University of Minnesota mourns loss of Lee Wattenberg, M.D., recognized as the “father of chemoprevention”

The faculty and staff of the University of Minnesota and the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota are mourning the loss of cancer pioneer Lee Wattenberg, M.D. Wattenberg died December 9 at the age of 92, and will be remembered for his immense contribution to the field of chemoprevention.

Wattenberg is credited with the creation of an entire field of research in the wake of his landmark 1966 paper in Cancer Research examining the effects of certain compounds on cancer development. This led to a new emphasis on understanding cancer prevention, including the use of foods such as cabbage and broccoli to try to prevent cancer.

“Lee was a true pioneer in cancer chemoprevention,” said Brooks Jackson, MD, dean of the Medical School and vice president of Health Sciences for the University of Minnesota. “His contributions to the field were innovative and his work continues to provide a foundation for research that is going on to this day.”

Wattenberg received his undergraduate degree from City College of New York in 1941 and went on to the University of Minnesota Medical School. Following graduation, he joined the faculty and served for more than 60 years, most recently in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. Wattenberg also served as president of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) from 1992-1993, as well as two stints on the organization’s board of directors. He was given the AACR Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cancer Prevention Research in 2010.

Services for Wattenberg are scheduled for Friday, December 12, 2014 at Temple Israel in Minneapolis, beginning at 11:00 am.

University of Minnesota Children's Hospital received $25 million from Minnesota Masonic Cancer Charities

The University of Minnesota announced that following a new gift of $25 million from the Minnesota Masonic Charities and in recognition of the legacy of support provided by the Masons to the University of Minnesota, it is renaming the children's hospital to University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital. View a video on the partnership between the Masons and the University that goes back generations. Read more.

Varsity Team Rally “Constellation of Bright Stars” raises more than $100,000 for Masonic Cancer Center research

The fourth annual Varsity Team Rally was held on September 10, 2014, and raised more than $100,000 to benefit and advance high-impact cancer research at Masonic Cancer Center. Read more.

Masonic Cancer Center director keynotes "Pinked Out Party"

Seventy-five women ranging in age from 15 to 80 attended the 2nd Annual Pinked Out Party, hosted by the ANIKA Foundation in partnership with the University of Minnesota’s Program in Health Disparities Research (PDHR) and the Masonic Cancer Center on Thursday, September 25 at the Robbins Urban Wellness Retreat in North Minneapolis. Read more.

Masonic Cancer Center is a sponsor of 2014 Cancer Care Summit

The Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, is a proud co-sponsor of the Minnesota Cancer Alliance's Summit 2014: Cancer Care - It's a Partnership, to be held Thursday, November 6, 2014, 8 a.m-5 p.m. at Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington, 3900 American Blvd. W., Bloomington, Minn. Dr. Julie Silver, Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School, and co-founder of the STAR Program® (Survivorship Training and Rehab) is the keynote speaker. Visit the website to register.

Research finds key piece to cancer cell survival puzzle

The research of an international team led by Eric Hendrickson, Ph.D., Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer Program, and Duncan Baird of Cardiff University was featured on KARE-11 and KSTP. The group has identified a single gene that regulates cell survival despite chromosomal defects. The research was published in Cell Reports. Read more.

Master regulator of key cancer gene found, offers new drug target

Research conducted by the laboratory of Anindya Bagchi, Ph.D., Genetic Mechanisms of Center Program, was highlighted in Medical Xpress and HealthCanal stories. Bagchi and his colleagues discovered how MYC, a gene linked to cancer, is regulated by a non-coding RNA, PVT1. The research was recently published in the journal Nature.

Tribute to a leader

A permanent tribute to the Masonic Cancer Center's founder, John Kersey, M.D. was unveiled in a ceremony Tuesday, May 13 in the new Cancer Cardiovascular Research Building in the Biomedical Discovery District of the University of Minnesota. Dr. Kersey's family was on hand to join in the celebration of his life and contributions to cancer research and treatment. A story on the event appeared in theStar Tribune. Learn more about the display.

2013 Research Update published

The Masonic Cancer Center has published Research Update 2013: A Tribute to Dr. John Kersey's Legacy. View the pdf.

NCI renews Masonic Cancer Center as Comprehensive Cancer Center

The National Cancer Institute has renewed its designation of the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, as a comprehensive cancer center after a highly competitive and rigorous process. The reviewers recommended support for the Masonic Cancer Center of nearly $20M over the next 5 years. Read more.